I was walking down Michigan Ave.in Chicago when I was stopped by a high school girl holding a D.A.R.E. T-shirt. She claimed to be collecting donations for D.A.R.E. Like an idiot, I gave her my debit card because I had no cash on me. Normally I wouldn't do something like this, but she definitely played on my emotions. She was out there in the freezing cold and was collecting money for a good cause.
The debit card slip that I signed didn't have the D.A.R.E. Logo. It was just a generic slip, which I thought was weird, but then I just brushed it off. There are still people, such as cab drivers, who are legitimate and use generic credit card slips.
The next day I checked my bank account and saw Powerhoutz Promotions as the merchant name. They took the amount that I authorized. However, I still didn't feel right about it, so I googled them and found that their name came up repeatedly on usacomplaints.com. I immediately called my bank and cancelled my debit card.
I thought I was in the clear. But then another transaction for the same amount came through on my account under Taylormade Promotions. I cannot believe the nerve of these people!
I'm waiting on a response from D.A.R.E. Whether or not they are affiliated with, or accepting donations from, Powerhoutz or Taylormade. I doubt it. I can live with losing $30. But what is absolutely inconceivable is that these people would use a charity to steal from the public! Why hasn't their operation been shut down yet?
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